When she said,"Don't waste your words, they're just lies,"I cried she was deaf.And she worked on my face until breaking my eyes,Then said, "What else you got left?"It was then that I got up to leaveBut she said, "Don't forget,Everybody must give something backFor something they get."

I stood there and hummed,I tapped on her drum and asked her how come.And she buttoned her boot,And straightened her suit,Then she said, "Don't get cute."So I forced my hands in my pocketsAnd felt with my thumbs,And gallantly handed herMy very last piece of gum.

She threw me outside,I stood in the dirt where ev'ryone walked.And after finding I'dForgotten my shirt,I went back and knocked.I waited in the hallway, she went to get it,And I tried to make senseOut of that picture of you in your wheelchairThat leaned up against . . .

Her Jamaican rumAnd when she did come, I asked her for some.She said, "No, dear."I said, "Your words aren't clear,You'd better spit out your gum."She screamed till her face got so red,Then she fell on the floor,And I covered her up and thenThought I'd go look through her drawer.

And, when I was through I filled up my shoe And brought it to you.And you, you took me in you loved me then and you never waste your time. And I, I never took much I never asked for your crutch now don't ask for mine.